Farmers write to President demanding resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar

“People will march and if blocked by the police, they will peacefully organize a people’s parliament, pledge to protect the democratic rights of all citizens and culminate with the national anthem,” SKM said. File | Photo credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap

Ahead of a farmers’ rally here on Friday (October 23, 2026) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) wrote to President Droupadi Murma that Mr Kumar had broken his constitutional pledge and must be prosecuted. The memorandum to the President, which also calls for the scrapping of the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls, will be submitted to all District and Subordinate Judges. Various trade unions and civil society organizations have pledged support for the farmers’ march.

The memorandum also called for the restoration of voting rights for all citizens whose votes had been erased “non-transparently”. They urged the President to ensure the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure) Amendment Act, 2023 and to include the Chief Justice of India in the selection board instead of a Cabinet Minister appointed by the Prime Minister. “Farmers are also demanding comprehensive electoral reforms to introduce proportional representation, limit money/muscle power and legalize state funding of elections,” he added.

The SKM said that Mr. Kumar has broken his constitutional pledge and must be prosecuted. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is himself protecting the CEC, which has committed the gross crime of erasing genuine citizens from the electoral roll to help the ruling party (BJP) retain power,” the memo said. He added that Parliament had the sole power to formally change the rules and without Parliament impeaching Mr Kumar, the Prime Minister could not break the full-fledged constitutional impasse of staring down his Cabinet. They demanded an immediate withdrawal of the Delhi Police’s order designating Jantar Mantar as a venue for peaceful protest.

The All India Coordination Committee of People Against SIR said that farmers, labourers, daily wage earners, traders, entrepreneurs, journalists, advocates, teachers, employees, artists, intellectuals, women, youth, students, Adivasis, Dalits and minorities – all sections are expected to join the struggle to regain democracy. “The people will march and, if blocked by the police, they will peacefully organize a people’s parliament, pledge to protect the democratic rights of all citizens and culminate with the national anthem,” it said.

Center of Indian Trade Unions General Secretary Elamaram Kareem said disenfranchised workers may also be disenfranchised from social security benefits and other government welfare schemes. “Thus, SIR-led disenfranchisement will lead to denial of workers’ rights. Abolition of SIR is therefore essential to ensure workers’ social security rights,” he said, pledging support for the protests.

Published – 22 Oct 2026 21:53 IST